Conversion device to transform a flat bed into a truck bed and the method to use

ABSTRACT

This invention is a retractable cargo wall for flatbed trucks and trailers that lowers into an enclosure that may be rollup canister or tray. Once the cargo walls are lowered, the posts supporting the walls may collapse into the bed, thereby transforming a bed with cargo walls into a flatbed. It is also anticipate that a truck or trailer bed with posts can be transformed into a flatbed truck or trailer.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/597,899 filed on May 17, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to providing adjustable cargo walls forthe flatbed of a truck or trailer to ensure safety when hauling toolsand equipment on the road.

B. Prior Art

Contractors and employees in the construction industry often haul toolsand equipment to jobsites in a flatbed truck. Flatbed trucks arebeneficial to workers because a ledge or wall is not in the way ofremoving or loading items from the side of the truck. However, flatbedtrucks can be quite dangerous when equipment, tools, and other items arein transit. Flatbed trucks are known for not being safe and there arerelatively few areas that an item can be tied down. Accordingly, workersare advised not to take loaded flatbed trucks on the highway or otherhigh-speed limit roads.

While there are many types of truck beds and modifications presentinvention. For example, US Patent Application Publication 2015/0008693,U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,332,637, and 6,634,689 disclose truck beds that provideside rails that extend upward. In addition to the referenced prior artthere are flatbed fold-down side panels.

None of the prior art discloses flatbed cargo walls that rollup or arestowed away underneath the truck bed. Furthermore, the prior art doesnot disclose posts that can be stowed away flush into the flatbeditself. These features provide a safe and convenient option for workersin the field. The present invention additionally allows for advertisingto be placed on the siding, which is currently unavailable for flatbedtrucks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a retractable cargo wall for a flatbed truck ortrailer, which is described in six separate embodiments. The firstembodiment is a retractable wall that retracts down and rolls into acanister. The second embodiment is a retractable wall that retracts downinto a tray underneath the flatbed or trailer. Both embodiments provideposts with tracks that are stowed flush with the flatbed or trailer whennot in use. The third embodiment shows only the pivoting posts andstationary posts being utilized without a plurality of retractablewalls. The fourth embodiment utilizes the roll up walls and roll-upcanister similar to the first embodiment except a trailer is used. Thefifth embodiment utilizes a retractable wall and tray similar to thesecond embodiment except on a trailer. The sixth embodiment utilizes aplurality of posts on a trailer without the rollup walls, rollupcanisters, or trays.

The cargo walls and posts operate to assist with safely transportingitems of various sizes while also providing the benefits of loading andunloading items from a flatbed truck or trailer. For example, a user canplace an item on the flatbed truck or trailer and then pull the wallinto a raised position. The wall would then prevent the item fromfalling out of the truck or trailer during transportation. Furthermore,if the item is long, similar to a stack of two by fours or rebar,multiple walls can be retracted into a lowered position and the pivotingposts can be lowered into the bed of the truck or trailer. In turn, theitems can be loaded, transported, as well as unloaded safely and easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment, which shows thecargo walls in a raised position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment, showing a cargo wall in apartially raised position.

FIG. 3 is side view of the first embodiment, showing the cargo walls ina stowed position and the pivoting posts collapsed flush with theflatbed truck.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view from FIG. 1 showing a back-corner pivotingpost with a pin locking the post in an upright position.

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view from FIG. 2, which shows the cargo wallpartially raised and partially stowed away in a rollup canister.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the first embodiment showing the rollupcanisters and the bottom of the flatbed.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment showing the cargo wallsin a raised position.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the second embodiment showing the trays onthe bottom of the flat bed.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view from FIG. 7 showing the cargo wallspartially raised and partially stowed in the tray.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a flatbed truck showing a third embodiment,which provides a plurality of pivoting posts that collapse flush intothe bed of the vehicle. A pair of fixed posts are also provided at thefront of the flat bed.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment showing the cargoe-walls with rollup canisters attached to a trailer.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the fifth embodiment showing the cargowalls with trays attached to a trailer.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the sixth embodiment showing a pluralityof pivoting posts that collapse flush into the bed of the trailer. Apair of fixed posts are also provided at the front of the trailer.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the pivoting post and cargo walls, showing thecargo wall rod entering a hole in the post, thereby locking the cargowall in position.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14, showing the cargo wall rodinside a hole within the pivoting post.

FIG. 16 shows an isometric view of the wheels that fit within the trackand the rod extending from the cargo wall into a hole within thepivoting post. Part of the pivoting post is removed to show how thecargo walls may adjust in height with the use of the cargo wall handle,the cargo wall rod, and the holes in the pivoting post.

NUMBER REFERENCES

-   5—Device-   6—Flatbed of truck-   7—Flatbed of trailer-   10—Cargo walls-   11—Wheels-   12—Handle of Cargo Wall-   13—Rod of Cargo Wall-   15—Roll-up canister-   20—Pivot post-   21—Fixed Post-   22—Locking pin-   25—Post Track-   26—Post hole-   30—Post cavity-   60—Tray-   70—Tray Track

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This invention 5 is a set of retractable cargo walls 10, which areintended to provide a user with improved versatility in loading,transporting, and offloading items on a truck or trailer. This inventionis described in six separate embodiments: The first embodiment disclosesa cargo wall 10 that can retract into a rollup canister 15, which isattached the bottom of a flatbed truck as shown in FIGS. 1-6 6; thesecond embodiment discloses a cargo wall 10 retracting into a trayunderneath the flatbed of a truck as shown in FIGS. 7-9 6; the thirdembodiment discloses a flatbed 6 with posts 20 that fold down flush intothe flatbed 6 of the truck as shown in FIG. 10; the fourth embodimentdiscloses a cargo wall 10 retracting in a canister 15 attached to theside of the flatbed of a trailer as shown in FIG. 11 7; the fifthembodiment discloses a cargo wall 10 retracting into a tray 60 attachedunderneath the flatbed 7 of the trailer as shown in FIG. 12; the sixthembodiment discloses a flatbed trailer 7 with posts 20 that fold downflush into the flatbed 7 of the trailer as shown in FIG. 13.

Each embodiment is intended to allow a user to safely transport items ona flatbed. Flatbed trucks and flatbed trailers are useful because theyare extremely easy to load and unload tools and other equipment.However, because the bed is flat and no sides are provided, it can beextremely dangerous to transport tools and equipment. Each embodimentcan substantially improve safety and maintain the benefits of using aflatbed truck or trailer.

While Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, Embodiment 4, and Embodiment 5 showand discuss the invention as having a total of six retractable cargowalls 10 and six pivoting posts 20, the number of walls and posts canvary depending on the size of the truck bed 6 or trailer bed 7.Regarding Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 6, the number of pivoting posts 20and fixed posts 21 can vary depending on the user's preference and sizeof the truck or trailer bed.

First Embodiment

The first embodiment of this invention is comprised of cargo walls 10, ahandle 12 for each cargo wall 10, a plurality of wheels 11, roll-upcanisters 15, pivot posts 20, fixed posts 21, locking pins 22, and posttracks 25. The roll-up canisters 15 are attached to the side of the bed6 of the flatbed truck, which is shown in FIG. 1. The cargo walls 10 canbe raised and lowered as the user desires by sliding the cargo walls 10along the post tracks 25 in the pivot posts 20 as well as the tracks 25in the fixed posts 21. A plurality of wheels 11 are provided on thecargo walls 10 and enable the walls 10 to slide within the tracks 25.

A handle 12 is provided for the user to grasp when raising and loweringthe door. It is anticipated that the cargo walls 10 can be raised andlowered at variable heights as the user desires, which is shown in FIG.2. The handle 12 located on the exterior of the cargo wall 10 is similarto the handle commonly used on the tailgate of a truck. As the handle 12is pulled or released it actuates a rod 13 within the cargo wall 10,which extends into one of a plurality of holes 26 placed within thetrack 25 of a pivoting post 20 or fixed post 21 as depicted in FIGS. 15and 16. When the handle 12 is released, rod 13 extends into one of theplurality of holes 26, thereby locking the cargo wall 10 into positionalong the track 25 of the respective adjacent posts. It is anticipatedthat the cargo walls 10 will be spring loaded to counter the weight ofthe wall as it is raised and lowered. The spring can be housed in therollup canister 15. Alternatively, an electric motor (not depicted) canbe utilized to raise and lower the cargo walls 10 as well. Furthermore,the leading edge of the cargo wall 10 acts as a top rail.

The pivoting posts 20 are also capable of being raised and lowered. Whenthe pivoting posts are in a lowered position, they are laid in ahorizontal position in a cavity 30 of the bed 6 of the truck. The cavity30 is located on the sides of the bed 6, which is shown in FIG. 3. Thepivot posts 20 are locked in a lowered position or a raised positionwith a locking pin 22. Some pivot posts 20 may have a post track 25 onopposing sides and other pivot posts would have only one post track 25,which is shown in FIG. 1.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of this invention is comprised of a plurality ofcargo walls 10, a plurality of wheels 11, a handle 12 for each cargowall 10, trays 60, pivot posts 20, fixed posts 21, locking pins 22, andpost tracks 25, and tray tracks 70. The trays 60 are attached to thebottom of the bed 6 of the flatbed truck, which is shown in FIG. 8. Thewalls 10 can be raised and lowered as the user desires by sliding thewalls 10 along the post tracks 25 and tray tracks 70. A plurality ofwheels 11 are provided on the walls 10 and enable the walls 10 to slidewithin the post tracks 25 and tray tracks 70.

A handle 12 is provided for the user to grasp when raising and loweringthe wall 10. It is anticipated that the cargo walls 10 can be raised andlowered at variable heights as the user desires. The handle 12 that islocated on the exterior of the cargo wall 10 is similar to the handlecommonly used on the tailgate of a truck. As the handle 12 is pulled orreleased it actuates a rod 13 within the cargo wall 10, which extendinto one of a plurality of holes 26 placed within the post track 25 of apivoting post 20 or fixed post 21. When the handle 12 is released, therod of the cargo wall 13 extends into one of the plurality of post holes26, thereby locking the cargo wall 10 into position along the post track25 of the respective adjacent posts. It is anticipated that the cargowalls 10 will be spring loaded to counter the weight of the wall as itis raised and lowered. Alternatively, an electric motor (not depicted)can be utilized to raise and lower the cargo walls 10 as well.Furthermore, the leading edge of the cargo wall 10 acts as a top rail.

The pivoting posts 20 are also capable of being raised and lowered. Whenthe pivoting posts are in a lowered position, they are laid in ahorizontal position in a cavity 30 of the bed 6 of the truck. The cavity30 is located on the sides of the bed 6. The pivot posts are locked in alowered position or a raised position with a locking pin 22. Some pivotposts 20 may have a track 25 on opposing sides of the bed and otherpivot posts would have only one track 25, which is shown in FIG. 7.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of this invention is comprised of a bed 6, pivotposts 20, fixed posts 21, and locking pins 22. The pivoting posts 20 arecapable of being raised and lowered, which is shown in FIG. 10. When thepivoting posts 20 are in a lowered position, they are laid in ahorizontal position within a cavity 30 of the bed 6 of the truck. Thecavity 30 is located on the sides of the bed 6. The pivoting posts 20are locked in a lowered position or a raised position with a locking pin22.

When the pivoting posts are in a raised position, they each standperpendicular to the bed 6 of the flatbed truck. When the pivot posts 20are in a lowered position, the each lay within a cavity 30 so that pivotposts 20 are flush with the surface of the bed. FIG. 10 shows thetransition between a raised pivoting post 20 and a lowered pivoting post20. FIG. 10 additionally shows the fixed posts 21 near the cab of thetruck.

When the pivoting post 20 is in a raised position, the user would removethe locking pin 22 to lower the pivot post 20. Once the pivot post 20 islowered, the locking pin 22 would be used to lock the pivot post 20 in alowered position.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment of this invention is comprised of cargo walls 10,a plurality of wheels 11, roll-up canisters 15, pivot posts 20, fixedposts 21, locking pins 22, and post tracks 25. The roll-up canisters 15are attached to the side of the bed 7 of the flatbed trailer, which isshown in FIG. 11. The walls 10 can be raised and lowered as the userdesires by sliding the walls 10 along the tracks 25 in the pivot posts20 as well as the tracks in the fixed posts 21. A plurality of wheels 11are provided on the cargo walls 10 and enable the cargo walls 10 toslide within the post tracks 25.

A handle 12 is provided for the user to grasp when raising and loweringthe wall 10. It is anticipated for the walls 10 to be raised and loweredat variable heights as the user desires. The handle 12 located on theexterior of the wall 10 is similar to the handle commonly used on thetailgate of a truck. As the handle 12 is pulled or released it actuatesa rod 13 within the cargo wall 10, which extends into one of a pluralityof holes 26 placed within the post track 25 of a pivoting post 20 orfixed post 21. When the handle 12 is released, the rod of the cargo wall13 extends into one of the plurality of post holes 26, thereby lockingthe cargo wall 10 into position along the post track 25 of therespective adjacent posts. It is anticipated that the cargo walls 10will be spring loaded to counter the weight of the wall as it is raisedand lowered. The spring can be housed in the rollup canister 15.Alternatively, an electric motor (not depicted) can be utilized to raiseand lower the cargo walls 10 as well. Furthermore, the leading edge ofthe cargo wall 10 acts as a top rail.

The pivoting posts 20 are also capable of being raised and lowered. Whenthe pivoting posts are in a lowered position, they are laid in ahorizontal position in a cavity 30 of the bed 5 of the truck. The cavity30 is located on the sides of the bed 5. The pivot posts 20 are lockedin a lowered position or a raised position with a locking pin 22. Somepivot posts 20 may have a track 25 on opposing sides of the bed andother pivot posts would have only one track 25, which is shown in FIG.1.

It is anticipated that the walls can be raised and lowered at variableheights as the user desires, which is shown in FIG. 2. This can beaccomplished in a variety of ways by placing an electric motor in thecanister 15 or a locking pin which is actuated by pulling the handle ofits respective wall 10.

Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment of this invention is comprised of a plurality ofcargo walls 10, a plurality of wheels 11, trays 60, pivot posts 20,fixed posts 21, locking pins 22, and post tracks 25, and tray tracks 70.The trays 60 are attached to the bottom of the bed 5 of the flatbedtruck, which is shown in FIG. 8. The cargo walls 10 can be raised andlowered as the user desires by sliding the cargo walls 10 along the posttracks 25 and tray tracks 70. A plurality of wheels 11 are provided onthe cargo walls 10 and enable the walls 10 to slide within the tracks 25and tracks 70.

A handle 12 is provided for the user to grasp when raising and loweringthe wall 10. It is anticipated for the walls 10 to be raised and loweredat variable heights as the user desires. The handle 12 located on theexterior of the wall 10 is similar to the handle commonly used on thetailgate of a truck. As the handle 12 is pulled or released it actuatesa rod 13 within the cargo wall 10, which extends into one of a pluralityof holes 26 placed within the post track 25 of a pivoting post 20 orfixed post 21. When the handle 12 is released, a rod 13 extends into oneof the plurality of holes 26, thereby locking the cargo wall 10 intoposition along the post track 25 of the respective adjacent posts. It isanticipated that the cargo walls 10 will be spring loaded to counter theweight of the wall as it is raised and lowered. Alternatively, anelectric motor (not depicted) can be utilized to raise and lower thecargo walls 10 as well. Furthermore, the leading edge of the cargo wall10 acts as a top rail.

The pivoting posts 20 are also capable of being raised and lowered. Whenthe pivoting posts 20 are in a lowered position, they are laid in ahorizontal position in a cavity 30 of the bed 7 of the truck. The cavity30 is located on the sides of the bed 7. The pivot posts 20 are lockedin a lowered position or a raised position with a locking pin 22. Somepivot posts 20 may have a track 25 on opposing sides and other pivotposts would have only one track 25, which is shown in FIG. 7.

It is anticipated that the walls can be raised and lowered at variableheights as the user desires. This can be accomplished in a variety ofways by placing an electric motor (not depicted) in the canister 15 or alocking pin which is actuated by pulling the handle of its respectivewall 10.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment of this invention is comprised of a bed 7, pivotposts 20, fixed posts 21, and locking pins 22. The pivoting posts 20 arecapable of being raised and lowered, which is shown in FIG. 13. When thepivoting posts 20 are in a lowered position, they are laid in ahorizontal position within a cavity 30 of the bed 7 of the truck. Thecavity 30 is located on the sides of the bed 7. The pivoting posts 20are locked in a lowered position or a raised position with a locking pin22. When the pivoting posts are in a raised position, they each standperpendicular to the bed 7 of the flatbed truck. When the pivoting posts20 are in a lowered position, the each lay within a cavity 30 so thatposts 20 are flush with the surface of the bed. FIG. 10 shows thetransition between a raised pivoting post 20 and a lowered pivoting post20. FIG. 10 additionally shows the fixed posts 21 near the cab of thetruck.

When the pivoting post 20 is in a raised position, the user would removethe locking pin 22 to lower the post 20. Once the post 20 is lowered,the locking pin would be used to lock the post in a lowered position.

While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certainmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify theinvention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The inventor claims:
 1. A device which is comprised of: a. a flatbed;wherein the flatbed provides a top surface; b. a plurality of posts;wherein the plurality of posts collapses into the flatbed; c. aplurality of tracks; wherein at least one track is provided on each ofthe plurality of posts; d. a cargo wall; wherein the cargo wall has aplurality of wheels; wherein the plurality of wheels roll within theplurality of tracks; e. a rollup canister; wherein the rollup canisteris attached to the flatbed; wherein the cargo wall can be stowed in therollup canister.
 2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein aplurality of cavities is provided in the flatbed.
 3. The device asdescribed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of posts collapses into theplurality of cavities.
 4. The device as described in claim 3 wherein theplurality of posts become substantially flush with the top surface ofthe flatbed when collapsed into the plurality of cavities.
 5. The deviceas described in claim 1 wherein at least two of the plurality of postsare fixed posts and the remaining posts are pivoting posts.
 6. Thedevice as described in claim 1 wherein more than one cargo wall isprovided.
 7. The device as described in claim 6 wherein a rollupcanister is provided for each cargo wall.
 8. The device as described inclaim 1 wherein the flatbed is provided on a truck.
 9. The device asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the flatbed is provided on a trailer. 10.The device as described in claim 1 wherein the cargo wall rolls in andout of the rollup canister.
 11. The device as described in claim 1wherein a handle is provided on the cargo wall.
 12. The device asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the cargo wall is adjustable.
 13. A devicewhich is comprised of: a. a flatbed; wherein the flatbed has a topsurface; wherein the flatbed provides a top surface; b. a plurality ofposts; wherein the plurality of posts collapse into the flatbed; c. acargo wall; wherein the wall has a plurality of wheels; wherein theplurality of wheels roll within the plurality of tracks; d. a tray;wherein the tray is attached to the flatbed; wherein the cargo wall canbe stowed in the tray.
 14. The device as described in claim 13 wherein aplurality of cavities is provided in the flatbed.
 15. The device asdescribed in claim 11 wherein the plurality of posts collapses into theplurality of cavities.
 16. The device as described in claim 15 whereinthe plurality of posts can become substantially flush with the topsurface of the flatbed.
 17. The device as described in claim 13 whereinat least two of the plurality of posts are fixed posts and the remainingposts are pivoting posts.
 18. The device as described in claim 13wherein more than one cargo wall is provided.
 19. The device asdescribed in claim 18 wherein a tray is provided for each cargo wall.20. The device as described in claim 13 wherein the flatbed is providedon a truck.
 21. The device as described in claim 13 wherein the flatbedis provided on a trailer.
 22. The device as described in claim 13wherein the cargo wall rolls in and out of tray.
 23. The device asdescribed in claim 13 wherein a handle is provided on the cargo wall.24. The device as described in claim 13 wherein the cargo wall isadjustable.
 25. A device which is comprised of: a. a flatbed; whereinthe flatbed provides a top surface; b. a plurality of posts; wherein theplurality of posts is attached to the flatbed; wherein the plurality ofposts collapses into the flatbed; c. a plurality of cavities; whereinthe plurality of cavities is provided in the flatbed; wherein theplurality of posts fit within the plurality of cavities.
 26. The deviceas described in claim 25 wherein the flatbed is provided on a trailer.27. The device as described in claim 25 wherein the flatbed is providedon a truck.
 28. The device as described in claim 25 wherein the deviceis further comprised of: a. a plurality of tracks; wherein the pluralityof tracks is provided on the plurality of posts; b. a plurality of cargowalls; wherein each cargo wall has a plurality of wheels; wherein theplurality of wheels roll within the plurality of tracks; c. a pluralityof rollup canisters; wherein the plurality of rollup canisters isattached to the flatbed; wherein the plurality of cargo walls can bestowed in the plurality of rollup cannisters.
 29. The device asdescribed in claim 25 wherein the device is further comprised of: a. aplurality of tracks; wherein the plurality of tracks is provided on theplurality of posts; b. a plurality of cargo walls; wherein each cargowall has a plurality of wheels; wherein the plurality of wheels rollwithin the plurality of tracks; c. a plurality of trays; wherein theplurality of is attached to the flatbed; wherein the plurality of cargowalls can be stowed in the plurality of trays.